I think it goes without saying that the French have style.  I mean really, they can make anything look chic.  I’m always trying to check out what women are wearing without looking creepy, and then I go to the store and feel like there’s no way I can piece together an outfit like a French girl.

Not only do I adore their fashion sense, I love that I even see “women of a certain age” (what the French call older women) wearing heels, panty hose, a dress and a nice handbag…and this is their normal dress, not because they are going out to dinner.  When I tell my mom about this she tells me that’s how it was when she was young.  I think it’s really nice to see people taking pride in how they present themselves and enjoying dressing nicely (although I refuse to change my American way of walking to and from the gym in sneakers and gym clothes…and believe me I have definitely gotten some looks because of that!)

French fashion isn’t always about “dressing up”, they can dress comfortable while still looking put together.  Here are some of the key points to adopting French style:

  1. Layer, Layer, Layer!  You can always make an outfit look more interesting and chic by adding layers.

  2. Stick to neutral colors  The French wear a LOT of black…but their wardrobe also consists mainly of neutral colors.  You don’t see a lot of bright colors, and when you do it is often subtle.
  3. Don’t over accessorize  Jewelry and accessories are usually simple and classic.
  4. Keep your makeup natural  The French keep their makeup minimal and show off their natural beauty.
  5. Embrace the blazer  A blazer can make a simple outfit instantly chic.
  6. Scarves are a must for every season  I seriously cannot have enough scarves, which conveniently fits in with French style.  Scarves add dimension and interest to an outfit, they can be a way to add a pop of color and it doesn’t hurt that they can really keep you warm on the many cold days in France.
  7. You can still look “dressy” while wearing casual shoes  I used to always feel like I needed to wear heels or dressy flats to feel like I was dressed up…but after gazing at the feet of every French woman I pass, I’ve come to realize you can still look “dressy” while wearing casual flats or even sneakers.

Now I think I have some shopping to do….